MSS024008A Recognise common geological
landforms and samples
Release: 1
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This unit of competency covers the ability to recognise common geological landforms and
relate these to basic geological processes and other ecosystem components. Personnel are also
expected to obtain (near) surface samples of common rocks, minerals and soils and identify
them using classification tables and charts.
Application of the Unit
This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in a range of
industry sectors, such as:
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environmental services (e.g. sampling and monitoring of air quality, water, soil and noise)
environmental compliance, auditing and inspection
groundwater and clean water (e.g. catchments, supply and environmental flows)
solid and hazardous waste management
management of contaminated sites
site remediation or rehabilitation
geotechnical services and civil engineering
natural resource management.
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Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Not applicable.
Approved
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
Elements and Performance Criteria
1
2
3
Prepare for field
work
Recognise
geological
structures and
processes
Identify common
rocks and
minerals
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
1.1
Review job request to identify the equipment
involved, samples to be collected and/or test
methods
1.2
Identify hazards and enterprise safe work
procedures associated with the site, samples, test
methods and equipment used
1.3
Confirm site location, access, timing and any
client requirements
1.4
Assemble all required equipment/materials and
check that they are fit for purpose
1.5
Stow equipment/materials to ensure their safe
transport, as necessary
1.6
Arrange transport to site, as necessary
1.7
Liaise with appropriate personnel on arrival at site
to ensure safety and minimise disruption to others,
as necessary
2.1
Recognise common landforms and relate these to
geological processes
2.2
Interpret simple geological maps, diagrams and
aerial photos
2.3
Apply principles of geological processes and the
geological timescale to explain the formation and
occurrence of common rocks, minerals, soils and
aquifers
3.1
Sort handheld specimens of common sedimentary,
igneous and metamorphic rocks by observing
their textural, structural and mineralogical
properties
3.2
Identify handheld specimens of common rocks
and minerals by comparing their physical
properties with classification charts and tables
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
4
5
6
7
Identify common
soil types and
their properties
4.1
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
Obtain soil samples using specified sampling
equipment and methods
Examine soil colour, texture and properties of soil
components to classify common soils
4.2
Identify and describe simple soil profiles at field
sites
4.3
Recognise influences of rock type, drainage, age
and climate on development of soil profiles
4.4
Recognise common forms of soil degradation
5.1
Apply the basic relationships between parent
material, climate, topography, soils and living
ecosystem components to interpret sites
5.2
Recognise how local geology can influence the
revegetation or rehabilitation of sites
Maintain a safe
6.1
work environment
Use safe work procedures and protective
equipment to ensure personal safety and that of
others
Relate local
geology to flora
and fauna and
land use
Report data and
finalise
documentation
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
6.2
Minimise environmental impacts of
sampling/testing and generation of waste
6.3
Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance
with environmental/quarantine requirements and
enterprise procedures
7.1
Report field data in the required formats and
expected timeframe
7.2
Complete all required documentation
7.3
Maintain the security and confidentiality of data
and documentation in accordance with enterprise
requirements
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
Required Skills and Knowledge
Required skills
Required skills include:
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planning and organising resources for field work
following legislative requirements, standard methods, enterprise procedures and instructions
governing geological sampling and in-field testing
reading topographical maps and aerial photos, and simple geological maps
collecting, collating and recording simple geological information for a site
using and maintaining equipment to undertake required field work
preparing brief oral/written reports
seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility
working safely for the protection of self and others
Required knowledge
Required knowledge includes:
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overview of major fields of geology
basic structure of the earth, including the core, crust and major components
basic geomorphology and landforms, including agents of erosion and transportation, stability
of rocks and minerals in different environments, and depositional processes
regolith, including physical and chemical weathering, climactic effects, stability of minerals,
weathering processes, soil formation, common soil types and composition
rock cycle
introduction to igneous rocks, including origin of magma, movement of magma, volcanic,
plutonic, types of volcanoes and simple tectonic setting
introduction to sedimentary rocks, including clastic, chemical, organic types, grain size and
composition, sorting, roundness, lithification, sedimentary structures and environments of
deposition
introduction to metamorphic rocks, including regional, contact, dynamic metamorphic zones,
rock textures and fabrics
structural geology concepts, including folds, faults, tilts and uplifts
overview of geological time, including eras, periods, relative time, stratigraphic methods for
establishing relative ages of strata, and radiometric dating
introduction to palaeontology, including preservation of fossils and their role in dating strata
introduction to the links between local geology, climate, topography and living components
of ecosystems
geological sampling and in-field test methods routinely used in job role, including:
pre-use checks and safe operating procedures for sampling/test equipment
Approved
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
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Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
sampling procedures
purpose, principles and measurement steps of test
calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision
expected values for sample type
Evidence Guide
Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to
perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and
evidence required to demonstrate
competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can
competently and consistently apply the skills covered in
this unit of competency in new and different situations
and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence
include:
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Context of and specific resources for
assessment
planning and preparing for field work
following relevant procedures and methods for
conducting field surveys
recognising common geological landforms and
explaining their formation
identifying handheld specimens of common rocks
and minerals
obtaining and classifying samples of common soils
relating local geology to other ecosystem components
accurately recording field data
working safely.
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the
workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and
procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
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MSL952001A Collect routine site samples
MSS024003A Apply an understanding of
environmental principles to a site
MSS024005A Collect spatial and discrete
environmental data.
The competencies covered by this unit would be
demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part
of a team.
Approved
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment
access to suitable sites and vehicle
enterprise procedures governing geological sampling
and in-field testing
maps and aerial photos
suitable survey, sampling and testing equipment.
The following assessment methods are suggested:
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review of field data, results and records prepared by
the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors that the
candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures
and works safely
oral/written questioning associated with basic
sampling and in-field testing of common rocks,
mineral and soils and their identification, and
‘reading the landscape’
observation of the candidate undertaking basic
geological field work.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by
questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those
aspects of competency which are difficult to assess
directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made
to work environments and training situations to
accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and
disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of
assessment should not be greater than those required to
undertake the unit of competency in a work-like
environment.
Guidance information for assessment
Range Statement
Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice,
and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected
the latest version will be used
Legislation, standards, codes,
procedures and/or enterprise
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or
enterprise requirements may include:
Approved
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
requirements
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Hazards
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
sunlight, dust, noise and heat
extreme weather conditions (e.g. fire, flood and
storms)
manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials
crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with
moving machinery
vehicular traffic on roads and sites
injuries caused by falling objects and working
conditions, such as uneven surfaces, heights, slopes,
wet surfaces, trenches and confined spaces
biohazards (e.g. microbiological organisms in soils)
chemical hazards/contaminants in soils
Equipment and materials may include:
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federal legislation, such as:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999
Australian Heritage Council Act 2003
Native Title Act 1993
state/territory government legislation and regulations
and local government by-laws, policies, and plans
dealing with:
land use, acquisition, planning and protection
environmental protection
cultural/heritage protection
vegetation management
nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection
water and water management
soil conservation
pollution and contaminated sites
fisheries, forestry and mining operations
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental
management standards set
AS 1289 series Methods of testing soils for
engineering purposes - Sampling and preparation of
soils
enterprise or regulator procedures for sampling and
in-field testing
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
safe work procedures
Hazards may include:
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Equipment and materials
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
survey equipment, compass, global positioning
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
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Common landforms
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
composition, texture and structure
colour, streak, crystal form, habit, cleavage, fracture
and hardness
Common soil properties may include:
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plate tectonics
glaciation
vulcanism
action of wind and water
weathering
mass wasting or erosion
action of groundwater and surface water
Physical properties of common rocks and minerals may
include:
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Common soil properties
mounds, hills, ridges, cliffs, valleys, rivers,
peninsulas and numerous other structural and
size-scaled (i.e. ponds vs. lakes, hills vs. mountains)
elements, including various kinds of inland and
oceanic water bodies and sub-surface features
geological features characterised by physical
attributes, such as elevation, slope, orientation,
stratification, rock exposure and soil type
Geological processes that are responsible for most
landforms may include:
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Physical properties of common
rocks and minerals
system (GPS), maps and aerial photos
tape measure, clinometers and theodolite
hammers, picks, shovel, scoops, buckets, bags, sieves
and sample containers
coring/excavation equipment (e.g. auger)
hand lens and microscope
pH meter and conductivity meter
chemical field test kits
worksheets, sampling/test methods
portable computers and PDAs
Common landforms may include:
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Geological processes
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
colour
structure (size and shape of aggregate particles)
texture (varying percentages of sand, silt or clay, and
organic matter)
water retention and water repellence
depth to bedrock
pH
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Manufacturing Skills Australia
MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples
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Soil degradation
chemical properties (e.g. nitrates, sulphates,
phosphates and carbonates)
electrical resistivity and conductivity
Soil degradation may include:
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Occupational health and safety
(OHS) and environmental
management requirements
Date this document was generated: 27 May 2012
forms of erosion, such as gully, sheet, landslide,
tunnel and stream bank
erosion agents, such as wind, water, heating and
cooling of rocks, freezing of water in cracks, plant
roots, upheaval of trees and chemicals
weathering
decomposition of organic material
salinity
acidification
structural degradation
soil pollution (e.g. hydrocarbons and heavy metals)
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and
environmental management requirements, which may
be imposed through state/territory or federal
legislation - these requirements must not be
compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous
nature of samples and require standard precautions to
be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current
industry understanding of infection control issued by
the National Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of
Health
Unit Sector(s)
Environmental
Custom Content Section
Not applicable.
Approved
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012
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Manufacturing Skills Australia